Sign making stencil method

ABSTRACT

An elongated rectangular panel has a longitudinally extending row of cut-outs defining a set of indicia, the row having a predetermined spacing from the longitudinal edges of the panel. Transversely aligned markers are provided at the longitudinal edges centrally of the respective indicia. The stencil may be used selectively in one position to make an entire sign in one direction, or it may be shifted indicia-by-indicia to make a sign in a direction at right angles to the first mentioned direction by centering the markers on a guide line and using said predetermined spacing to space the indicia from one another.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,855,924 Morse, Jr. 1451 Dec. 24, 1974 i [541 SIGN MAKING STENCIL METHOD 2,371,485 3 1945 Waldman....- 33 174 B 3,140,548 7/1964 Paparazzi 33/174 B [76] Inventor: William E. Morse, Jr., 612A 3 633 286 1 972 M 33 174 B X Bankers Trust Plaza Bldg, Jackson, I f 39201 Primary ExaminerClyde 1. Coughenour [22] Filed: Oct. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 402,603 [57] ABSTRACT Related US. A pli ati Data An elongated rectangular panel has a longitudinally- [63] continuatiomnban of Ser 292 752 Sept 27 extending row of cut-outs defining a set of indicia, the

1972 abandone row having a predetermined spacing from the longitudinal edges of the panel. Transversely aligned markers 52 U.S. c1..; 101/129, 33/174 B, 35/37, are Provided at the longitudinal edges centrally of the i I 1 1/ 27 respective indicia. The stencil maybe used selectively 51 Int. Cl. B41m 1/12, 60% 11/04 in One position to make an entire Sign in one direction, [58 Field of Search 33/174 B; 35/37; 101/114, or it y be Shifted iiwlieia-by-indieiel to make a Sign 01/129" 27 in a direction at right angles to the first mentioned direction by centering the markers on a guide line and 5 References Cited using said predetermined spacing to space the indicia UNITED STATES PATENTS one another 1,582,809 4/1926 White 101/127 X 2 Claims, ll Drawing Figures SIGN MAKINGSTENCIL METHOD RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 292,752, filed Sept. 27, 1972 for Sign Making Stencil, now abandoned. I

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in stencils for making signs consisting of a set of indicia such as letters, numerals, or both, the sign being made by spraying, brushing or otherwise applying paint through cut-outs in the stencil which define the indicia.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a very simple and easily manipulable stencil which may be used selectively in one position to make an entire sign in one direction, or may be shifted indicia-byindicia to make a sign in a direction at right angles to the first mentioned direction. Thus, for example, the stencil may be elongated horizontally for making an entire sign in the horizontal direction, yet may be shifted indicia-by-indicia'along a vertical guide line for making a vertical sign. Conversely, the stencil may be elongated vertically for making an entire sign in the vertical direction, yet may be shifted indicia-by-indicia along a horizontal guide line for making a horizontal sign.

It is an important feature of this invention that the stencil be adapted to conform snuggly to a curved, or rounded, surface which is to be painted inorder to make a neat and legible sign. For this purpose it is an important feature of this invention that the stencil comprise an elongated, rectangular resiliently flexible panel having parallel longitudinal edges, and provided with a longitudinally extending row of cut-outs defining a set of indicia. The panel is normally flat, and is capable of being resiliently flexed both longitudinally and transversely to conform to-a curved surface. When bending forces are removed from the panel, it will return to a flat; planar condition. Each indicum of the set of indicia have a predetermined spacing from the longitudinal edges of the'panel and is separated from an adjacent indicium by a transverse spacer bar. Each indicum includes a plurality of cut-out segments separated by face. The panel is preferably made from a natural or synthetic elastomeric material, but may be made from other resiliently flexible materials such as metal, paper and synthetic resins.

With the foregoing more important object and features in view and such other objects and features which may become apparent as this specification proceeds,

, the invention will be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike characters of reference are used to designate like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a horizontal embodiment of the stencil;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view showing the stencil of FIG. I used for drawing a vertical guide line;

FIG. 3 is an'elevational view showing the stencil of FIG. 1 being used to make a vertical sign;

- FIG. 4 is an elevational view showing a vertical embodiment of the stencil;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing the stencil of FIG. 4 used for drawing a horizontal guide line;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the stencil of FIG. 4 being used for making a horizontal sign; 1

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of another modified embodiment of the stencil; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of still an other modified embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of still another embodiv ment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper right hand corner of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9

showing one indicium of the stencil;

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross sectional view of the invention taken on line 11.11 of FIG. 10 showing the stencil pressed against a curved surface.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, particularly to FIGS. 1-3 inclusive, the stencil of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a horizontally elongated, rectangular panel 11 of metal, plastic, cardboard, or any other suitable material, the panel having a pair of parallel longitudinal edges 12, 13.

The panel 11 is provided with a longitudinally ex tending row of cut-outs defining a set of indicia 14, the row of indicia having a predetermined spacing from the edges 12, 13 of the panel.

It will be apparent from FIG. 1 that the stencil 10 may be used for making an entire sign composed of the several indicia 14 by simply holding the stencil in one position and spraying, brushing or otherwise applying paint through the indicia-forming cut-outs. In such event, like the stencil, the resultant sign will extend in a horizontal-direction. The stencil may be held in place by hand during use, but preferably, a plurality of apertures 15 are provided in the longitudinal edge portions of the panel 11 to receive small nails or tacks for fastening the stencil to the work. Also, lengths of string may be passed through these apertures and tied around the work such as a post or a tree.

Apart from making a horizontal sign as above described, the same stencil 10 may also be used for making a vertically extending sign, as for example on a post or a tree 16 as indicated in FIGS. 2 'and 3. For such a procedure, a vertical guide line 17 is first drawn on the post or tree 16, which may be done by aligning either the edge 13 or the bottom of the row of indicia 14 with one side edge of the post and drawing the guide line 17 on the post with a pencil l8 drawn along the other longitudinal edge 12 of the panel 11, as will be readily apparent from FIG. 2. During this line drawing procedure, the stencil is, of course, in the vertical position, as shown.

After that the stencil is returned to the horizontal position and it will be noted that marker means, such as the next indicia below, this shifting of the stencil being repeated indicia-by-indicia until the entire sign is completed.

As the stencil is lowered for painting an indicia below the next higher one, the aforementioned. predetermined spacing of the row of indicia from the edge 12 of the panel is used to uniformly space the indicia apart in the vertical direction. The dotted lines 20 indicate an aerosol container of paint such as may be used in connection with the stencil.

Referring now to FIGS. 46 inclusive, a modified embodiment of the stencil is shown and designated generally as 30. The same is very similar to the stencil except that the panel '31 of the stencil 30 is elongated vertically rather than horizontally, and the row of indicia 14 extends vertically thereon. The panel 31 is also provided with mounting apertures 15 and with transversely aligned arrows 19 which are centered with respect to the respective indicia. It will be apparent that in the one position of FIG. 4, the stencil may be used for making the entire sign composed of the several indicia, the sign extending in the vertical direction.

However, the same stencilv 30 may also be used for making a horizontal sign, by first drawing a guide line 17 horizontally on the work 32 as shown in FIG. 5 by using the panel edge 12 as a guide for the pencil 18, as

already explained in connection with FIG. 2. The stencil is then returned to the vertical position and the marker arrows 19 are aligned with the guide line 17 for each indicia to be painted, the stencil being shifted horizontally as well as upwardly for the indicia-by-indicia making of the complete sign, as-shown in FIG. 6. The predetermined spacing of the row of indicia'from the panel edge 12 is used to assure uniform horizontal spacing of the indicia, as will be apparent.

FIG. 7 shows a modification in which the transversely aligned marker means 33 are in the form of projections on the edges l2, 13 of the panel, instead of the aforementioned arrows 19. In another modification shown in FIG. 8, the marker means are in the form of notches 34 in the panel edges.

FIGS. 7 and 8 also show the panel as being provided with slots 35 adjacent each of the indicia 14, these slots being used for spacing one indicia from the next by a predetermined distance which is smaller than that between the row of indicia and the panel edge 12.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the'stencil 30' comprises a rectangular resiliently flexible panel 31' having parallel longitudi-' nal edges 12 and 13 and which is provided with a longitudinally extending row of cut-outs 14' defining a set of indicia, mounting apertures 15 and transversely aligned notches 34 which are centered with respect to the respective indicium. Each indicium 14' of the set of indicia is separated from an adjacent indicium by a transverse spacer bar 36. The spacers bars 36 may beused instead of the slots 35 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for gauging the distance between the horizontal letters in making a horizontal sign. Each of the indicium 14 of the set of indicia includes a plurality of cut-out segments 37 which are separated by transverse holding bars 38 integrally connecting opposite vertical side margins of the panel defining the cut-out segments. Longitudinal holding bars 39'are provided in the P, O, S, E, and D, indicium illustrated which integrally connect the opposite horizontal side margins of some of the indicium forming cut-outs. The panel 31' illustrated in FIG. 9 is particularly adapted for use in'stencilling a curved surface such as a tree or round post as illustrated in FIG. 10. When the stencil 30 is pressed against a round post P for example with the stencil in the vertical position, the panel 31 will be transversely flexed to assume a curved cross section everywhere along its length. The transverse holding bars 38 connecting generally vertical marginal edges such as 40, 41 shown in FIG. 10 defining the cut-outs 37 assist in conforming the marginal edges to the curved surface of the round post. Without holding bars 38 the center piece 42 would tend to remain flat when the rest of the panel 31' is transversely curved and therefore the centerpiece 42 would not be flush with the curved post. However the holding bars 38 tend to pull the edges of the center piece 42 snugly against the curved surface of the post P.

While in the foregoing there have been described and shown the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications and equivalents may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. 1

What is' claimed is: v

1. A method of making signs using a sign stencil which comprises an elongated rectangular panel having parallel longitudinal edges, said panel being provided with a longitudinally extending row of cut-outs defining a set of indicia, said row of indicia having a predetermined spacing from said longitudinal, edges of the panel, and transversely aligned marker means provided at said longitudinal edges centrally of the respective indicia, whereby the stencil may be selectively used in one position to make an entire sign in one direction or may be shifted indicia-by-indicia in sequence from one end of the stencil to the otherto make the same sign in a direction at right angles to the first mentioned direction, said method comprising using one edge of the sign to form a guide line on a surface at right angles to said one direction, centering said marker means of the first indicium of said row on said' guide line, painting said surface through the first indicium of said row, and successively moving the stencil to center the marker means for each successive indicium of said row on said in succession. 

1. A method of making signs using a sign stencil which comprises an elongated rectangular panel having parallel longitudinal edges, said panel being provided with a longitudinally extending row of cut-outs defining a set of indicia, said row of indicia having a predetermined spacing from said longitudinal edges of the panel, and transversely aligned marker means provided at said longitudinal edges centrally of the respective indicia, whereby the stencil may be selectively used in one position to make an entire sign in one direction or may be shifted indicia-by-indicia in sequence from one end of the stencil to the other to make the same sign in a direction at right angles to the first mentioned direction, said method comprising using one edge of the sign to form a guide line on a surface at right angles to said one direction, centering said marker means of the first indicium of said row on said guide line, painting said surface through the first indicium of said row, and successively moving the stencil to center the marker means for each successive indicium of said row on said guide line, spacing each successive indicium from the immediately preceding indicium using said predetermined spacing and painting said surface through each indicium in sequence while the marker means opposite each indicium is centered on said guide line to form a complete sign corresponding to said entire sign at right angles to said one direction.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein a spacer bar separates each indicium of said set from an adjacent indicium and using said spacer bar in making the sign to space the indicium of said sign from one another in succession. 